CONWAY, Ark. – The bats finally came alive on Friday for the Central Arkansas softball team, as the Bears put seven base hits on the scoreboard in a 6-1 win over Missouri State. Despite a two-hour rain delay, Central Arkansas was able to stay locked in after resumption of play to close the deal.
The win moves the Bears to 9-2 on the year, having won both games against Missouri State this weekend. Friday's victory also keeps the Bears unbeaten at the Michelle Short Memorial Classic, with both wins over the Bears from Springfield.
Missouri State plated the first run of the game in the top of the first, forcing a pop-up to shallow infield that allowed a runner from third to scamper home. Central Arkansas was unable to answer, going three-up and three-down in the home half of the inning.
But the offense finally started in the second inning, as
Jaylee Engelkes got aboard with a leadoff double. The next two batters also reached safely, loading the bases with nobody out. Unfortunately for the Bears, though, a double-play by the Missouri State defense kept runners from scoring for the moment. But
Kylie Griffin responded with a two-out double up the middle, scoring a pair and giving Central Arkansas a lead it would never relinquish.
Central Arkansas picked up two more runs in the fourth, capitalizing on an error by the catcher, who sailed a throw back to the right corner, giving up a pair of runs to stretch the lead to 4-1.
It was then that the clouds opened up, drenching the field with a rainfall that suspended play for two hours. With play resuming, Central Arkansas nearly opened the return to play with another run, but the lineup couldn't get
Tremere Harris past second base.
Another run in each of the fifth and sixth innings sealed the deal for Central Arkansas, as
Madi Young and Griffin crossed home to make it a five-run lead by the end. From there,
Jordan Johnson slammed the door shut with a strikeout and a first-pitch lineout to end the game, earning her fourth win of the season.
Central Arkansas continues the Michelle Short Memorial Classic with a rescheduled 10 a.m. game against Mississippi Valley State. The Bears will close the tournament with a 1:30 p.m. game on Sunday against South Dakota State.
